Defend Mauna Kea from UH Power Grab

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For 30 years, local leaders and organizations have united to defend the once-pristine resources of Mauna Kea’s sacred summit from the harms of uncontrolled telescope expansion. They have successfully upheld the law and educated the public about the harms of industrial development on the sacred summit. Telescope development by the University of the Hawaii (UH), its Institute for Astronomy (IFA), and the multi-billion dollar telescope industry:

* Destroys unique land formations, important Hawaiian astronomy sites and altars.
* Increases vehicle and traffic impacts.
* Speeds the introduction of invasive species.
* Imposes noise pollution from machinery.
* Introduces toxic chemicals and sewage.
* Threatens the aquifer and pure mountain waters of Lake Waiau, sacred to Hawaiian medicine and cultural practices.


After numerous court losses and the defeat of several telescope development plans, the University is now seeking to change the laws that protect Mauna Kea. A bill before the Hawaii Legislature proposes to take authority to manage Mauna Kea away from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and give it to the University.

Why is UH's power grab bad?
- The University has long-standing financial interest in developing the mountain, and benefits financially from the construction and lease of telescopes on Mauna Kea.
- The University has long sought more direct control over the mountain. In centralizing oversight under the UH umbrella, they seek to avoid outside accountability, and making future developments easier to push through.
- The University has a dismal record of overseeing its own activities on Mauna Kea. A 2005 EIS confirmed that the impacts of telescope developments on the cultural and natural resources of Mauna Kea have been “substantial, adverse and significant.”

- The reserve lies directly adjacent to the University's telescope developments. The reserve was created and removed from University control in 1981 because of its significant resources.

- The University leases Mauna Kea from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, giving it regulatory authority over these lands sets a bad precedent for all landlord-leaseholder relationships.

What the law says now:
The law clearly says that the Land Board is the public trustee of these lands and many not give away its duty to manage, protect and conserve the lands of Mauna Kea on behalf of the Native Hawaiians and the general public. Not to UH, and not to anyone else.

What we know:
30 years of University control has endangered and desecrated of one of Hawaii's most precious and sacred places. Enough is enough! Mauna Kea needs accountable decision-makers and legitimate management. Read more on our blog.

Public trust resources must be managed by the public agency charged with their care--not to those who have a vested financial interest in more bulldozing.

“If we say yes to more development, we are saying yes to the desecration of our temple and our ancestors, yes to the destruction of our waters, and yes to the possible extinction of life itself. Enough is enough!"
- Kealoha Pisciotta, Mauna Kea Anaina Hou

To learn more, visit www.kahea.org/maunakea